European business credit report company to hire hundreds in coming years.

Larry Nemeth, who had been in and out of work since losing his sales position with a printing company, landed the job of his dreams in September.

The 49-year-old Northampton resident is cold-calling businesses to sell credit reports for Creditsafe, a company founded 15 years ago in Norway that just entered the United States market.

"This is the best job I've ever had," Nemeth said. "We're making customers happy because we're giving them a product they can use at a price they can afford."

Creditsafe opened its U.S. headquarters in a South Whitehall Township office park in September. It employs 50 salespeople and expects to grow to more than 300 employees in the next four years.

The private company sells online access to business credit reports, which companies can use before extending credit to clients. They are similar to consumer credit reports used by credit card companies and banks, except they detail the credit worthiness of a business.

The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. helped Creditsafe find space for its U.S. operation and connected the company with the employment center CareerLink Lehigh Valley to find applicants.

"They chose our area because of the talent pool we have here and our great location," said Don Cunningham, president and CEO of the economic development agency. "Despite a slower economy … our region continues to offer an attractive environment for companies to grow here and to relocate here."

Creditsafe sells credit reports predominantly to small businesses. It sees the business information firm D&B, formerly known as Dun & Bradstreet,, as its primary competitor. D&B, based in Short Hills, N.J., has a large office in Upper Saucon Township that employs hundreds of people.

Creditsafe has data on 47 million U.S. businesses and 67 million European businesses, compiled from public and private sources. Clients can obtain those records for an annual subscription fee. The company has more than 50,000 customers and offices in eight countries.

"A customer uses us before they extend credit," said Matthew Debbage, president of Creditsafe USA. "It's all about making business safe."

Credit reports represent a $10.5 billion industry in the United States, and major players include Experian Group, Equifax and Moody's, said Eben Jose, an analyst with Los Angeles-based industry research firm IBISWorld. The industry is expected to grow at a healthy pace as businesses expand and seek credit, he said.

"It doesn't surprise me that a company like Creditsafe is coming to the U.S. because there is a lot of opportunity right now, especially as the economy turns the corner," Jose said.

Debbage said Creditsafe aims to distinguish itself in the U.S. market with affordable business credit information presented in a format that is simple to use. The United States has the largest business credit reporting market in the world, and prices are much higher than they are in Europe, he said.

The atmosphere was upbeat Thursday at Creditsafe's new Lehigh Valley office, where music by Blondie boomed through the room. Workers with headsets stood behind computer screens, making sales calls. When someone closed a deal, everyone cheered while the salesperson rang a big brass bell. High-fives were abundant.

The company is counting on its small telesales team to find U.S. customers. It's a job that requires persistence and a high tolerance for rejection, which is why the company works to keep a positive atmosphere.

When Nemeth, nicknamed "the ogre" closed a deal, his colleagues cheered and slapped him on the back while he strutted around the room. After ringing the bell, he flexed his arms and shouted, "The ogre strikes again."

Nearly all current positions are in telesales, with median annual pay of about $35,000. Pay varies based on commissions. As the company grows, positions in human resources, technology and management will be added.

"If you don't like music and you don't like noise and you don't like atmosphere, it's not the place for you," said Andy Harris, who manages Creditsafe operations in the Netherlands and is launching the South Whitehall sales office. "It's all about positive motivation."